Trio Of Scotland A Matches Heading For The Borders

A trio of free to attend Scotland A matches are heading for the Borders this season. Last season 4000 supporters were treated to Scotland A’s resounding 38-7 victory over Tonga at Netherdale and next month the Scots return to Galashiels to take on the world’s 15th ranked rugby nation, the USA, on Friday 19 November (kick-off 7.30pm). Scotland A will then face Ireland A and Italy A back to back at the same venue in the New Year (Friday 28 January and 4 February respectively). A trio of free to attend Scotland A matches are heading for the Borders this season. Last season 4000 supporters were treated to Scotland A’s resounding 38-7 victory over Tonga at Netherdale and next month the Scots return to Galashiels to take on the world’s 15th ranked rugby nation, the USA, on Friday 19 November (kick-off 7.30pm). Scotland A will then face Ireland A and Italy A back to back at the same venue in the New Year (Friday 28 January and 4 February respectively). Graham Lowe, head of performance at Scottish Rugby, said: “It’s vital to encourage supporters to get behind the players who have the honour of representing their country. These matches give fans a great opportunity to see the potential stars of Scotland teams who are our ultimate rugby ambassadors.” Dominic McKay, director of communications and public affairs at Scottish Rugby, said: “Scottish Rugby is delighted to be able to build on the recent success of the Scotland A game against Tonga hosted at Netherdale by bringing three Scotland A matches to the Borders. We have been working closely with Scottish Borders Council in recent seasons to develop rugby at all levels and we look forward to working with them again to ensure these exciting  fixtures are a success both on and off the park.” The representative fixtures are the first to be announced by Scottish Rugby who underlined it’s commitment to the policy of hosting representative international fixtures around the country. Admission to all of this season’s Scotland A, Scotland Women’s and Scotland age-grade 6 Nations home matches will be free, allowing supporters to come out and back Scotland’s top emerging talent at various venues. Councillor Graham Garvie, Executive Member for Culture, Sport and Community Learning at Scottish Borders Council said:  “The response from rugby fans in the Borders and further a field to the fixtures last year was excellent and is a further example of the support for and importance of rugby in the Scottish Borders.  Today’s news that more representative games are coming is warmly welcomed and I am sure they will be well supported.” Councillor Vicky Davidson, Executive Member for Economic Development at Scottish Borders Council said:  “I’m delighted we will be hosting these games.  As they will attract supporters from Ireland, Italy and the US, we will make sure that we take advantage of the matches to do some wider promotion of the Borders and ensure that there is a business as well as sporting benefit to the area.” FREE TO ATTEND SCOTLAND A FIXTURE CALENDARFriday 19 November – Scotland A v USA, Netherdale (kick-off 7.30pm)Friday 28 January – Scotland A v Ireland A, Netherdale (kick-off 7.30pm TBC)Friday 4 February – Scotland A v Italy A, Netherdale (kick-off 7.30pm TBC)